I have been blessed to have my parents live with me since December 2021. On nights when I do not have a game, meeting or school event to attend I enjoy sitting with my mom and dad as they watch the news. Over the past few months, I have listened to a consistent narrative play nightly during the newscast. It is a concept related to “schools brainwashing children” and the “harm of public schools.” During this same period of time, I have observed the growth of negative public opinions and distrust of public education. It breaks my heart.

My hope is that the truth will come out. The truth is that teachers and administrators are coming in early in the morning and staying late to care for children. They are not brainwashing children or teaching a curriculum that is contrary to the beliefs of the overall community. The focus is on learning curriculum content and developing citizens with excellent character.

I want the members of our community to know that our school is caring, helpful and that every person working for our district is working very hard for our students. I do not completely understand the current attack on public education, but I know that if a different message does not start to surface, we are going to see less people willing to step into the roles required to serve our children and our community.

The truth is:

Teachers and administrators are working hard and their hearts care deeply about students.

They give sacrificial amounts of time.

They care about each and every student (yes — even the ones that take extra patience, love, time and care).

Teachers wake up very early (often driving many miles) to get the classroom ready for the day, set up the room, greet students with a smile, have lessons planned for every minute of every day, give up lunch, time after school and many evenings to serve (tutoring, coaching, sponsoring, attending various activities), grade papers, plan and prepare for the next day, answer emails and messages (sometimes from angry parents) and drive back home. They do not get long lunches or breaks. They do not have flexible schedules. They have to show up every day.

Do they mess up sometimes? Of course — just as all people mess up sometimes too. We say something in a way we didn’t mean to. We made a decision that we would make differently next time. That is the power of reflection. We are not meant to live lives of perfection.

Each teacher has good intentions as they step into each and every day.

Sadly, I see teachers and administrators currently living in greater fear — knowing their every mistake will be pointed out, possibly ridiculed, screamed at and could even lead to that loathed “meeting with parents and administrators.” Why is this?

Why are school employees thought of so poorly?

What would it be like if we all lived and worked under a microscope? If our parenting, our daily occupations showed up on Snapchat, text messages and Instagram? What if our mistakes were the focus of family conversations and group chats?

Why is public education being destroyed in the public eye and talked about in generalities as if every school were a terrible place?

It is a time to rise up and put a stop to this negative narrative.

Trust your child’s teacher. Trust your child’s school administration. Trust your child’s public school district. If there is distrust in your heart, ask yourself where it stems from. Is it from your own school experience? Is it from bias that you heard on the news? Is it from a recent conversation with friends? Are those conversations helping schools succeed? If not, why are we having them? What will be the result if local public schools continue to be destroyed in the public’s eye?

If you are offended at someone or something, I beg that you forgive them or that situation. School and teachers are not perfect. They were never meant to be.

When your child goes through a hard time, which is normal in the lives of all children, do not be surprised. They are going to get a bad grade sometimes. They are going to get their feelings hurt sometimes. They are not going to get what they want sometimes. This is a good thing. It teaches them perseverance, tenacity and resilience. Instead of blaming schools, teach them to rise above the situation, to get stronger, to get better and to learn what they can from the situation. Teach them to focus on the things they can control. Teach them that not getting everything we want is truly part of life and it is healthy and good to feel frustrated sometimes.

Tough times lead to maturity, which is what we want our children to develop. It allows them to leave home after high school and not be shocked by hard times. It allows them to navigate situations when their boss or college professor does things that they do not like. Teach them to advocate for themselves, but do not rescue them. Do not engage in negative conversations about those you need them to respect and learn from. If you decide you must get involved, handle it at the level closest with the concern, usually the teacher, with a heart to understand and a goal to work together.

It is important for parents to know what is happening in their local schools. They need to take an interest and know if the curriculum being taught is in alignment with the beliefs of the community. Get to know the teachers. Get to know the administrators. This is critical! However, do not assume that all schools are involved in the type of curriculum being discussed on the nightly news.

As a community it is time to rise up and stop the negative press about public schools. It is time to rise up and support the incredibly hard work teachers are doing each and every day. It is my hope that teachers will again feel loved and respected by the communities they work in. Let’s rise up and support our schools!